CALLS have been made for more cycle lanes across the city.

City councillors have supported a proposal to increase the number of cycle lanes and connect up existing lanes to create a better network throughout the city.

The proposal calls for the creation of a new “specific and ambitious” strategy to make cycling in the city safer and easier.

Some councillors raised questions over the current strategy, saying that progress seems to have halted.

Tom Druitt, councillor for Regency Ward, said: “Brighton and Hove City Council was named a cycling demonstration town for the promotion of cycling back in 2005 and saw a 20 per cent increase in cycling in five years as a result.

“We have a local transport plan and have also signed up to the Space for Cycling initiative. Yet despite this the Labour council seem to have let the tyres go flat on cycling in Brighton and Hove, with embarrassingly little progress being made since they took office and the strategy the Greens started when in administration quietly shelved.

“The city is still a woefully difficult place to cycle around, with many of our existing cycle paths disappearing at random or in some cases, stopping completely in the middle of a route.

“It’s high time for joined up thinking and joined up cycling infrastructure.

“With the many benefits cycling can also bring to our health and wellbeing, we need to make cycling an easy and enjoyable travel option.

“Given the serious issues of rising air pollution and traffic congestion, an increase in cycling would make life better for our residents whether they’re on a bike or not.”

Cllr Druitt added: “I see no reason why we, a city now awaiting the imminent launch of a bike hire scheme, should not be totally committed to an ambitious strategy for cycling and I welcome the support all parties have given to our proposals.”

Ideas proposed during the meeting included the creation of a Brighton and Hove Cycle Network, better bike parking facilities and greater use of initiatives such as personal travel planning, employee purchase schemes and rider and maintenance training.

Calls were also made for the council to consult cycling groups and residents to help produce an effective strategy.

Tom Bewick, councillor for Westbourne ward, called for a better cycle network like one used in West Yorkshire, to be implemented.

He said: “Cycling is great for people’s mental and physical health.

“The UK is one of three countries around the world that does not have the give-way rules for cyclists. A scheme like this could produce a reduction of queuing traffic by 40 per cent.”